Twitter has finally launched a new subscription service called Twitter Blue, which initially launched in Australia and Canada before potentially expanding elsewhere. This is the company’s first attempt at a subscription business model and has the potential to diversify Twitter’s revenue stream.
Advertising accounts for more than 86% of Twitter’s revenue, according to its first-quarter earnings report.
The service is available to consumers in Canada and Australia for $3.49 and $4.49 in local currency, respectively, per month.
The company did not announce when Twitter Blue would be available to users in the United States.
Twitter Blue users get a Tweet Cancel feature which allows them to set a custom timer of up to 30 seconds to retrieve Tweets when they need to be fixed.
This feature isn’t actually an edit button, a feature that is frequently requested by users. But it does allow subscribers to preview their tweets and correct them before posting.
“We’ve taken this feedback to heart and are developing and trying to find a solution. This gives Twitter users the best they’re looking for: access to exclusive features and bonuses . It take their Twitter experience to the next level.” Twitter said in a blog post.
Twitter Blue Features included
A bookmarks folder that allows users to organize their Tweets. So they can “manage content so you can find it easily and efficiently when you need it”. said Twitter.
Cancel Tweet: Users can set a custom timer of up to 30 seconds to click cancel before the tweet, reply, or thread that posts their timeline post. “Fix the error just by imagining what your Twitter will look like before the world sees it,” Twitter said.
Reading Mode: Twitter says this feature “offers a better reading experience by eliminating noise. We make it easy for you to follow long threads on Twitter by converting them to easy-to-read text so you can read most new content smoothly.”
Twitter is working on several other new features to improve the user experience. This including requests to see tweets before you post, a new Hot Trends music map and a new local weather service called Tomorrow.
Currently, users cannot edit posted tweets and can only delete the content. Subscribers also have access to bonuses, such as customizable app icons for their device’s home screens. The fun color themes for their Twitter app, and have access to custom subscription customer support, the blog says.
Twitter is offering Paid subscription which is good for twitter business model which Twitter has been thinking fro some time.
Previously, the company relied heavily on advertising for its revenue. But intense competition from Facebook and Snapchat ads, as well as pressure from activist investors, led it to seek new sources of revenue.
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In early May, Twitter began testing its Tip Jar service. This allows users to send one-time payments to their favorite accounts.
The Super Follows feature announced in February will eventually let users charge for subscriptions for things like bonus tweets, community groups, or newsletters. (Newsletters became possible after Twitter took over its Revue newsletter service earlier this year.) Twitter has yet to announce when it will launch its Super Follows feature.
